Concerns about Jefferson County sheriff brought before commission

A group of people in Jefferson County took its concerns over Sheriff Blair Olsen to the County Commission Monday afternoon.

The two women who addressed the commission, Shelly Allred and Lyndsay Goody, came with two points in mind surrounding Olsen and the four felony charges he’s pleading not guilty to. One of them is no longer an issue, but the second may be a problem.

Since Olsen’s arraignment Feb. 11, Goody and Allred have been worried about, what they call, a conflict of interest involving his attorney that day, Sam Angell.

“He also represents Jefferson County,” Allred said. “He and his firm, so we wanted to make sure that was addressed.”

Monday afternoon, the commission said Olsen now has a different attorney.

“We did not get any word that anything had changed, until we were in the commissioners meeting,” Goody said. “We feel like it’s a great step in the right direction.”

Allred and Goody say more steps should be taken. They believe Olsen should take administrative leave, but the commission countered that he hasn’t been found guilty of anything.

“I think he absolutely is innocent until proven guilty,” Goody said. “We’re not asking him to resign, we’re not asking for them to terminate the relationship. All we’re asking for is an administrative leave for the time waiting for trial.”

Legally, the commission can’t make an elected official take administrative leave, but Allred said they can sure ask.

“It’s in their best interest to protect Jefferson County and ask him to take administrative leave,” Allred said. “Then, it’s still ultimately up to Mr. Olsen.”

Goody said paid, administrative leave just reduces liability for the county until everything is sorted out.

“As the top law enforcement officer in the county, it puts him in a precarious situation to be continuing with his duties and management of the employees,” Goody said.

Olsen’s next court date is scheduled for May 11. He faces three charges of use of public money or a financial card for personal use and another charge of misuse of public funds by a public officer.

According to a grand jury indictment, he knowingly used public money for a cellphone for his wife and to pay for a membership to the National Rifle Association. If found guilty, he could face up to 47 years in prison and $35,000 in fines.